Keep. On. Going.

If there is one thing I’ve learned through on-line ministry over the last 8 years, it’s that no matter what I face day to day, month to month and year to year – I must keep on going. There have been so many times I’ve felt too tired, too drained, or just plain not good enough to go on…and then somehow – through the power of God – I’ve kept going.

There have been seasons when I’ve considered… “maybe now it’s time I throw in the towel” or “go silent”. Too much spiritual warfare, too many personal failures, and a lack of faith gets the best of me and I start to doubt my call.

This week’s reading in Numbers chapter 20 is very near and dear to my heart as it speaks life into this weary soul of mine…and I hope it does the same for you.

No matter what you are facing – do not give up!

Keep on Going!

I’ve fallen in love with Moses through our last few studies of him in Exodus,Leviticus and now Numbers. This meek man, who walked more intimately with God than any other on the earth, led a group of complainers through the desert. Time and time again – he stood between God and his people – the Israelites – and begged God for mercy on His own people. God heard his cries and saved them.

And then we come to Numbers chapter 20. I see the pain and strain that Moses has endured after nearly 40 years of wandering in the desert.

At the start of this chapter, his sister Miriam dies. Miriam had watched him be placed in a basket as a baby and followed the basket down the river, all the way into the arms of Pharaoh’s daughter. Miriam had the courage to speak up and ask if she could find a Hebrew nurse for her baby brother Moses! Sweet Miriam was a good big sister (despite her mess up in Numbers 12. 😉 ) She was always at his side as they courageously crossed the Red Sea and crossed the desert.

Now, Moses has lost his big sister.

Then as he moves on from mourning, the people begin once again to complain. This time, they complain about the lack of water and Moses messed up big time.

God told him to speak to the rock, to bring forth water and in his anger and frustration he struck the rock…twice…and water came forth.

Moses faced public failure when he disobeyed God by striking the rock. God was not pleased and as a consequence, God said Moses would not be the one to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Oh Moses was SO close. This breaks my heart. He was almost there…but he failed.

He sinned.

All of the people saw his failure.

But…Moses did not give up. He kept on going despite his failure.

Moses continued to lead his people toward the Promised Land and faced a new conflict with the Edomites, as they would not allow the Israelites to pass through their land.

Then, following the loss of his sister – his brother, Aaron, began dying.

This is almost too much for me to bear. The loss of his sister followed by his brother just breaks my heart! Moses goes up the mountain, lays his brother to rest, disrobes Aaron, places Aaron’s priestly garments on Aaron’s son Eleazar and comes back down the mountain.

Moses must have been exhausted and emotional from all that he had just gone through.

Moses had just faced two deaths, two conflicts, and a moral failure in front of all of his people.

And what does he do next?

He picks up his staff and keeps on going!

He gets back to work, leading his people!

Wow! Just wow!

Oh dear reader, are you tired and weary and scared and have you failed and flopped for others to see.

Are you battered emotionally from the people around you and has serving others and serving God grown too hard?

Have you lost a loved one…or two and wonder if you can face another day without them?

Do not give up!

Keep. On. Going.

Take strength from Moses’ faith. In just one small chapter of God’s Word he faced so much pain, heartache, loss and failure — but then I look ahead to chapter 21. And there he is again!!! Seriously – you can’t keep a good man down. The people continued to complain about their food and water and Moses once again will pray for his people and continue to fight for them and lead them.

Moses kept on going!

The Christian life is one of falling down and getting back up again.

The Christian life is one of set backs and failures and faithful following and victory.

He did not press on to get to the Promised Land – he had already lost that.

He did not press on to get the honor of the people – he had already lost that.

He pressed on because he had an intimate walk with God.

He pressed on because he knew there was victory after death.

He pressed on because he knew that his labor was not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58 reminds us:

“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers,
be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

May we remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, our labor is not in vain.

Comments

Me too! I really needed this tonight. Its been a few months since I have been able to read your blog, Courtney, and I was needing to hear exactly what you posted about tonight-just keep going! Thank you for what you do!

This hit me in the face as I was reading it, I felt like you described me for what I have been going thru, Oh my I’m like this is exactly what I needed to hear and get encouraged, I follow you thru Good morning girls on FB and have been following your devotions, Thank-you so much for your beautiful ministry on devotions, I truly have been blessed.
A Pastors wife

Thank you Courtney, I needed to read this. I felt the Lord calling me to blog about my journey as a Christian Homeschool Mom with Chronic Lyme disease, (my husband and 4 kids also have it) last year and in January I finally launched. I started off strong but then I listen to those voices that no one wants to know what I have to say or that there’s already so many great blogs so I slack off. I’ve been following your blog for a number of years and I really appreciate your ministry & openness.

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your ministry and the time that invest in the lives of your readers. I understand that it takes time away from your family and other responsibilities but I truly believe I would not be where I am today in my spiritual walk if not for your ministry. I have been a subscriber for almost 5 years and the Good Morning Girl studies have helped me to consistently dig into God’s Word and learn about Him and love Him more every day. I pray regularly for you and your family – you are such a blessing to my life and I praise the Lord for you and the community that you faithfully run. It impacts so many lives and creates a stronger Kingdom for God. We must stay strong and not give up. Thank you for the reminder to keep going even in the midst of the daily spiritual warfare. In the end God wins and let’s win as many over for God as we can during this lifetime by sharing Him with others!

Perfect timing for me to read this! I work in ministry and sometimes the mountains just look too high to climb and have too many obstacles in the way.
But like Moses… it’s time to dig in and push on.
Thank you for all of your work on the GMG posts!

Courtney,
There are many comments here about how this post came at the perfect time for these readers. I feel the urge to write another. Your dedication to your ministry is greatly appreciated by us. You may not have a clue just how many lives you have saved through your encouragement and persistence. Thank you, Courtney for pursuing Jesus and for leading your readers to do the same. Thank you for your words of encouragement when we feel that there is no hope left. I will keep on going – even if I have to keep walking in this desert for another 40 years. My labor is not in vein.

Wow…the timing of this post is God ordained. Thank you for encouraging me as I am weary and battle scarred and see no end in sight. The truth is that God is sovereign and He is using ALL for my good and His glory!
God Bless You,

I clicked on your email this morning on accident, and it was exactly what God wanted me to read this morning! He is Great! Thank you for listening to God and obeying Him and what he has asked you to do! It was a blessing to read your post this morning!

Yes, I admit there are days when I feel like I have hit rock bottom. In dealing with chronic invisible illnesses that have no cure, I had learned a great deal. Just the fact along that a man named Jesus laid down his life for me, a lowly sinner, is enough to keep me going. When I get down, I think about others, and how they suffer in pain and sickness. That is when I am able to get back up and “Keep. On. Going.” Because I know that there are others who are in worse shape than I am in, some even dying, I can see them continue to fight to the every end. It is a humbling experience. Sometimes I think we take a lot for granted. Things like time, health, etc. Then when we face adversity it is easy to lose track of the path that God has laid out for us. It’s easy to just give up. But I choose not to because I know that God has a plan for me. I choose to “Keep. On. Going.” so that maybe, just maybe someone who needs to see God grace and glory will be able to see that all is not lost just because you have to live with a chronic incurable condition. Because in the end, we will all be cured. We will no longer have fear, tears or pain. What a glorious day that will be!!

I pray everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember that you are the daughter of a great King!!

The weariness of loss takes its toll. Thank you for the reminder that our journey is in God’s loving hands. (1) How does Moses’ life inspire me? He walked with God, communed with God even in his “imperfect” progress of growing. [He did not have the “fact” of Christ’s coming to encourage and strengthen him. He did see it by faith.] (2) What else did you learn in your Bible Study this week?
*God separates us to Himself for a purpose — Serving Him and serving others! *I am called, chosen, cherished! He will provide for my needs!
*The Lord is my Helper! “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!”
*HE will see me through to the end! He will bring ALL things to completion!

This is such perfect timing- our Father always is. He is so faithful. He reminded me (again) this morning that He is pleased with me because I am His child, not because of my works. There have been many times I have wanted to throw in the towel, and it’s usually because of the fear I have that I am failing. God has been reminding me this week that it’s not about me or now. It’s ALL about Him and eternity. Life is all about who He is. His love shines on me regardless of my behavior and thoughts. He loving presence is always present. If I become too focused on my doings and misdoings, the focus is on me. My responsibility is to focus on the Lord. Utter dependence. Wholehearted trust in Him, not myself. Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:8-10; 3:16-19, and Galatians 6:9. Lord, I am so thankful that You are Love. May we all rest in You today. You are faithful. You are good. You are Truth. Help us to live in the peace of Your light today. Amen. God Bless you, girls! Have a glorious weekend! <3

Thank you. This was a wonderful wrap up to the study week. I am thankful to the Lord that I came across Good Morning Girls and started this walk through Numbers with all of you. It has been encouraging, convicting and edifying. I shared my SOAK on FB, but one thing that adds encouragement for me is that although he didn’t enter the promise land, Moses ended up with God (we see him at Jesus’ transfiguration in Matt 17). But the key for us is to remember that our “promise land” is Heaven and if we miss that we don’t get another chance. Thankfully the Lord allowed us to see today, another opportunity to keep going, to move forward, to strive for His purpose and to get our hearts right so when He comes back we will be ready. Oh how I look forward to hearing him say to me “Well done my good and faithful servant enter into the joy our your master.” That is literally what I’m living for. Oh, it can be so very hard at times, but like Moses I keep moving forward because Heaven is worth every pain, lesson, every difficulty and every tear I have and will experience on this Earth. Jesus is worth me getting up, brushing myself off and moving forward. Thanks again for this work that you and your team do, thanks to all the women who regularly participate. I pray we all keep moving forward and if any are not in his body that do take those steps (Hear the Gospel (Acts 15:7), Believe in Jesus (Acts 8:2), Repent of Sins (Acts 3:19), Confess Christ (Acts 8:37), Be Baptized in Water (Acts 22:16) and Remain Faithful to God (Acts 2:42). Have a blessed weekend all -In Christian Love, Nascent

You are living in the protection of our Father’s grip. Rely on Him.
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.”
Isaiah 49: 16

You are living under God’s umbrella, protected from the storms of life. Stay close to Him.
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91: 4

How I love this and needed this after a difficult week where our children made poor choices.I am fighting hard the pride of “what others think” and discouragement while I know we all make mistakes and mess up daily. Still – it’s hard. Needed this today. Thanks so much!

Thank you for your encouragement.
I was embarrassed in front of our leadership team by my reaction to an event that happened. My pride was on view. I need to exemplify Moses’ humility, and not yearn for additional duties. I am where God has placed me, of that I have no doubt. I’m honoured to serve in this way, and my role is vital.

Just this week I was “confronted” by two of my longtime friends. These are women I have shared laughter and tears with for many years. In the last 3.5 years I have worked steadfastly on my walk with God. I was saved at 16 but later strayed away as I became unequally yoked in my first marriage. The results were dire. I spent a long season of my life wandering in the desert. I had strayed from God to the point that I was living my life in a sin filled gutter. With the grace only He can bestow God called me back into His fold and I have worked hard to show an outward change that matched the inward change God had brought about in my heart. I have lived a separated life from the places and people I used to surround myself with. Not because I no longer love those people, they are in my heart and my prayers daily. But I know I cannot hold hands with the world on one side and hold hands with our Lord on the other. I know that as Christians we will always be persecuted or shunned by the world. I just never expected it to come from people that were at one time some of my closest friends. I’ve let this be a stumbling block for me this week as I’ve let it replay over and over in my head. I even found myself becoming doubtful about my convictions. I know the enemy has used this as an opportunity to tear me down spiritually this week and I have spent a fair amount of time in bitter tears. I know I am being refined by the Maker for a greater purpose that I pray ultimately will bring glory to Him. Let’s continue to press on and lift each other in prayer.

I’m reading the study on Numbers now. Wow. I’m learning a lot. I don’t know why people think the Old Teatament is boring. Numbers is action packed.

I read this last week actually it forgot to comment. Chapter 20 was a tough chapter to read. The death of Miriam and Aaron as well as Moses not being able to enter into the Promise Land. It seemed to me in my human mind that Moses did something minimal but any sin is not minimal to God. Moses clearly didn’t do what God commanded him. I’m thankful though later at least God let him see the Promise Land from a distance before his death.

Thank you Courtney for these blog entries. Each one has been wonderful. I want to give up sometimes but Moses is a great example like you said of persistence.

I prayed, Lord I just need to hear from You a little more. Something a little more direct and encouraging. Opened up facebook and yours I’d the first to pop up in my newsfeed! Iloved what you said about how he no longer had the hope of the promise land , or the hope of being a leader without failure but that his hope was in the peomise of victory after death. I just asked the Lord yesterday. What am I suppose to hope for? I don’t want to hope for something that may not happen in my lifetime. That’s a hard pill to swallow though because I so long to hope for it in my lifetime for my children’s sake and family’s sake. Please pray for my marriage that I follow God’s leading, that I keep on even when I want to throw in the towel. I look at so many marriages that maybe never experienced divorce but they just coexist. I don’t want that for us but I feel that’s the path we are headed. 🙁